System for processing media units and an associated media roll

ABSTRACT

Media rolls, support structures for the media rolls, and media processing systems are provided. A media roll may include an identification transponder having retrievable information regarding the media units and associated media unit transponders wound around a core of the media roll. A support structure may include a spindle for supporting a media roll and include an identification coupler for communicating with the identification transponder. In addition to the spindle having the identification coupler, the media processing systems may include a second coupler for encoding the media unit transponders and a printhead for printing indicia onto the media units. The information retrieved from the identification transponder may be used to adjust one or more encoding and/or printing settings of the systems.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application relates to the application entitled “MEDIAPROCESSING SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED SPINDLE” filed the same day as thepresent application and assigned to the same assignee as the presentapplication.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments relate to media processing systems, such as printers, RFencoders and RF printer-encoders, and, more particularly, to devices andmethods for authenticating or otherwise identifying a consumable withinthe media processing systems.

RF printer-encoders are devices capable of programming and printing aseries or stream of smart media units. Smart media units are labels,tickets, cards, or other media forms carried on a liner or other websupport with embedded or attached RFID tags or transponders. Many RFprinter-encoders include a transceiver and coupler for encoding thetransponders and a printhead for printing indicia onto the media units.A RF printer-encoder may be configured to receive a supply of mediaunits. For example, a RF printer-encoder may have a spindle forreceiving a roll of media units. A RF printer-encoder also includes amedia conveyance means for moving the media units along a feed path fromthe supply of media units toward the encoding coupler and the printhead.

Media units, like other consumables of a RF printer-encoder, areintended to be used up and replaced. Because many RF printer-encodersmay be configured to process various types and forms of media units, thenew media units may differ from the media units that were replaced. Inorder to optimize the processing of the new media units, adjustments mayhave to be made in the print, encode, and other settings of theprinter-encoder.

The adjustments may be made by an operator through a keypad or anotheroperator input means of the printer-encoder. However it would begenerally easier and faster if the printer-encoder could identify thenew media units and make the adjustments automatically.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments relate to media rolls, support structures for the mediarolls, and systems for processing a plurality of media units. The mediaroll may include an identification transponder having retrievableinformation regarding the media units and associated media unittransponders wound around a core of the media roll. The supportstructure may include a spindle for supporting the media roll andinclude an identification coupler for communicating with theidentification transponder. In addition to the spindle having theidentification coupler, the media processing systems may include asecond coupler for encoding the media unit transponders and a printheadfor printing indicia onto the media units. The information retrievedfrom the identification transponder may be used to adjust one or moreencoding or printing settings of the processing systems or for countingpurposes to estimate remaining or spent media units.

According to one embodiment, a media roll is provided. The media rollmay include a core, a plurality of media units, an identificationtransponder, and a RF field insulator. The media units may be woundabout the core and include one or more media unit transponders. Theidentification transponder may be attached to the core and haveretrievable information or data pertaining to one or more of theplurality of media units. The RF field insulator may be positioned atleast partially between the identification transponder and the pluralityof media units such that the identification transponder is lesssusceptible to the influence of the one or more media unit transponders.

The identification transponder may be at least partially embedded intothe core. Or the core may extend from a first end to a second end andinclude an outer surface and an inner surface and the identificationtransponder may be attached to either the inner surface or the outersurface of the core. Or in other embodiments, the identificationtransponder may be attached to an edge of the core.

The RF field insulator may be a ferrite patch that covers at least theidentification transponder opposite the outer surface of the core or theferrite patch may substantially cover the entire outer surface of thecore. The media roll may further include a conductive foil extendingaround the core and the ferrite patch.

In some embodiments, the media unit transponders may be configured tooperate within a first frequency band and the identification transpondermay be configured to operate within a second frequency band that isdifferent from the first frequency band.

In another embodiment a hanger or spindle for, supporting the media rollwithin a media processing system is provided. A hanger typically refersto a core support that is sized relative to the core so as to provide alow friction connection with the core, while a spindle typically refersto a core support that is sized so as to provide a snug fit with thecore. However, these terms should be considered interchangeable whenused herein and especially in the claims. As such, for the remainder ofthe description, the term spindle is used to refer to both a spindle ora hanger. The spindle may include a support member, a coupler, and acoupler housing member. The support member may extend from a first endand a second end and define at least a portion of a contact area betweenthe spindle and the media roll. The coupler is adapted to link atransceiver of the media processing system with the identificationtransponder. The coupler may also define an opening for accepting at aportion of the support member. The coupler housing member may beconfigured to substantially surround the coupler.

A top surface area of the support member may define a contact areabetween the spindle and the media roll and a top area of the couplerhousing member may be configured to mimic the contact area defined bythe support member such that the top area of the coupler housing membereffectively becomes an extension of the contact area. The couplerhousing member may also include a cone-shaped loading edge to facilitatethe loading of the media roll onto the spindle.

The coupler may be based on a resonant magnetic planar antennaconfigured to establish an edge magnetic coupling with theidentification transponder. For example, the coupler may include one ormore printed circuit boards having one or more coil traces responsive toa RF signal supplied by the transceiver of the media processing system.The coupler may also include one or more tuning and impedance matchingcomponents and one or more Faraday shielding rings for electrical fieldinsulation.

In yet another embodiment a system for processing a plurality of mediaunits is provided. The system may include a transceiver and a spindle.The spindle is configured to support a roll of media units, wherein theroll includes an identification transponder. The spindle may include asupport member, a coupler, and a coupler housing member. The supportmember may extend from a first end and a second end and define at leasta portion of a contact area between the spindle and the media roll. Thecoupler may be adapted to link the transceiver with the identificationtransponder. The coupler may also define an opening for accepting at aportion of the support member. And the coupler housing member may beconfigured to substantially surround the coupler.

The system may include a printhead for printing indicia onto the mediaunits and a controller element adapted to adjust one or more printingsettings of the system at least partially based on information retrievedfrom the identification transponder.

The system may include a second coupler and a second transceiverconfigured to encode one or more media unit transponders associated withthe plurality of media units and the controller element may be adaptedto adjust one or more encoding settings of the system at least partiallybased on information retrieved from the identification transponder.

According to another embodiment, the system includes a spindle, a firstcoupler adapted to link with the identification transponder, a secondcoupler adapted to link with the associated media units, wherein thesecond coupler is orthogonally oriented with the first coupler, and afirst transceiver in communication with at least one of the firstcoupler and the second coupler. Each of the first and second couplersmay be configured to operate within a first frequency band, such asultra high frequency (UHF).

The system may include a second transceiver in communication with thesecond coupler while the first transceiver is in communication with thefirst coupler. The first coupler may include a microstrip band passfilter adapted to couple the first transceiver with a targeted mediaunit transponder in a transponder encoding region from among a group ofmultiple adjacent media unit transponders. As an example, the secondcoupler may include a cylindrical shaped conductive strip configured tofit within a core of the media roll. The system may further include acylindrical support member for supporting the second coupler relative tothe spindle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side schematic view of a printer-encoder according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a media roll according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a spindle of the printer-encoder;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a spindle with a locking member and a mediaroll loaded onto the spindle according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 a is a perspective view of a core of a media roll according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 b is a partial side view of the core of FIG. 5 a;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a core according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the core and couplers ofFIG. 4 taken along a mid-point of the media roll illustrating anidentification coupler and an identification transponder according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of FIG. 4 with the identification coupler,identification transponder, and media unit transponders superimposed inorder to illustrate the relative orientation of each component accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 a is a front view of a HF identification coupler according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 b is a rear view of the HF identification coupler of FIG. 9 a;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a PCB board of the HF identification couplerillustrating the coil traces according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a spindle with the HF identificationcoupler inserted and without an coupler housing member according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 12 is the perspective view of FIG. 11 with the coupler housingmember; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of FIG. 4 with PCB based HF planar antennaand an identification transponder superimposed in order to illustratethe relative orientation of each component according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 14 a is top view of an identification transponder being at aminimum offset position relative to an identification coupler accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 14 b is a top view of an identification transponder being at amiddle offset position relative to an identification coupler accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 14 c is a top view of an identification transponder being at amaximum offset position relative to an identification coupler accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 15 illustrates a S11 parameter of a tuned HF identification coupleraccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 16 illustrates the S11 parameter of FIG. 15 in the vicinity of13.56 MHz in a substantially worst case; and

FIG. 17 illustrates a coupler bandwidth at VSWR equals to two accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Aspects of the present invention now will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some,but not all embodiments of the invention is shown. Indeed, thisinvention may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicablelegal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

The embodiments described herein have been depicted, for illustrationpurposes, in the context of a specific application, namely, RFID enabledprinter systems, also referred to herein as “printer-encoders.” Examplesof printer-encoders are disclosed in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. Nos.6,481,907; 6,848,616; and 7,137,000, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference. However, the inventive concepts described hereinare not limited to printer-encoders and may be applied to other mediaprocessing systems (e.g., printers, encoders) that may, among otherthings, benefit from the ability to authenticate or otherwise identify aconsumable.

FIG. 1 illustrates an RFID printer-encoder 20 structured for printingand programming a series or stream of media units (e.g., labels,tickets, tags, cards, and other media forms) according to an embodimentof the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2, at least a few ofthe media units 24 include transponders, referred to herein as mediaunit transponders 26. As noted above, media units may include labels,cards, etc, that are carried by a substrate liner or web 22 as shown inFIG. 2. Alternatively, a web may not be necessary.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the printer-encoder 20 includes severalcomponents, such as a printhead 28, a platen roller 29, a feed path 30,a peeler bar 32, a media exit path 34, rollers 36, a carrier exit path38, a take-up spool 40, a ribbon supply roll 41, at least a firsttransceiver 42, a controller 45, at least one memory element 47, and atleast a first coupler 50. The web 22 is directed along the feed path 30and between the printhead 28 and the platen roller 29 for printingindicia onto the media units 24. The ribbon supply roll 41 provides athermal ribbon (not shown for clarity) that extends along a path suchthat a portion of the ribbon is positioned between the printhead 28 andthe media units 24. The printhead 28 heats up and presses a portion ofthe ribbon onto the media units 24 to print indicia. The take-up spool40 is configured to receive and spool the used ribbon. The ribbon supplyroll 41 and the take-up spool 40 may be supported by one or morespindles 43, 44 of the printer-encoder. This printing technique iscommonly referred to as a thermal transfer printing. However, severalother printing techniques may be used including, but not limited to,direct thermal printing, inkjet printing, dot matrix printing, andelectro-photographic printing.

After printing, as shown in FIG. 1, the media unit web 22 proceeds tothe media exit path 34 where the media units are typically individuallyremoved from the web 22. For example, in one embodiment, pre-cut mediaunits 24 may be simply peeled from the web 22 using the peeler bar 32 asshown. In other embodiments, a group of multiple media units may bepeeled together and transmitted downstream to an in-line cutter forsubsequent separation (not shown). Various other known media unitremoval techniques may be used as will be apparent to one of ordinaryskill in the art.

In applications, such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, in which themedia units 24 are supported by a web 22, the web 22 may be guided outof the printer-encoder 20 along the carrier exit path 38 by rollers 36or other devices. Techniques and structures for conveying or guiding theweb of media units along the entire feed path of the printer-encoder arewell known in the art and, thus, such techniques and conveyance systemsare not described in great detail.

In the embodiment depicted, the printer-encoder further includes atransceiver for reading and/or encoding transponders located in mediaunits. The first transceiver 42 is configured for receiving, generating,and transmitting RF communication signals that are broadcast by thefirst coupler 50 located proximate the media feed path 30. The firstcoupler, also referred to as the encoding coupler 50, is configured toestablish, at predetermined transceiver power levels from the firsttransceiver 42, a mutual coupling between the first transceiver 42 and atargeted media unit transponder that is located in the transponderencoding region. More specifically, as the media web 22 proceeds alongthe media feed path 30 through the transponder encoding region, data maybe read from and written to transponders disposed on media units 24carried by the web 22.

The encoding coupler 50 may be configured as a spatially selectivecoupler capable of selectively communicating with a targeted transponderfrom among a group of adjacent transponders. In general, a spatiallyselective coupler is adapted to have a limited range in order tominimize inadvertent communication (e.g., activation, reading, orwriting) of additional transponders beyond the targeted transponder asfurther explained in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos.2005/0045732 and 2005/0045724 and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/371,785,each to Tsirline et al. and each is hereby incorporated by reference asexamples of spatially selective couplers and as background to potentialconcerns and techniques when interrogating multiple adjacenttransponders. In other embodiments, the printer-encoder may includeother anti-collision management techniques, such as an RF-shieldedhousing or an anechoic chamber, instead of or in addition to employing aspatially selective coupler.

In general, the first transceiver 42 is a device configured to generate,process, and receive electrical communication signals. One in the artwould appreciate that similar devices such as transmitters, receivers,or transceivers may be used within this invention. “Transceiver” as usedin the present application and the appended claims refers to the devicesnoted above and to any device capable of generating, processing,transmitting, or receiving electrical and/or electromagnetic signals.

The printer-encoder 20 further includes a spindle 100 for supporting aroll 60 of the media units. The roll 60 includes a core 62 in which themedia units are wound around in numerous layers. The core 62 isconfigured to fit around the spindle 100 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. Thespindle 100 may be fixed with the core 62 rotating around the spindle100 (i.e., hanger). Or the core 62 may be held to the spindle 100 withthe spindle 100 and core 62 rotating together. As shown in FIG. 3, afirst end of the spindle 100 may be mounted to a wall 52 or otherstructure within the printer-encoder 20. A second end of the spindle 100may be a free end allowing for the insertion or removal of the core 62from the spindle 100. Referring back to FIG. 4, the printer-encoder 20may further include a locking member 106 configured to engage the secondend of the spindle 100 to help secure the roll 60 of the media units tothe spindle 100 (locking member not illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3).

The construction of the core 62 may vary. However, as shown in FIGS. 5 aand 5 b, the core 62 may extend from a first end 68 to a second end 69along a longitudinal axis and include a cylindrical wall 70 having aninner surface 71 and an outer surface 72.

The media roll 60 may also include at least one identificationtransponder 64. The identification transponder 64 may contain data orinformation pertaining to the roll 60 and more particularly regardingthe media units 24 on the roll 60. For example, any or all of thefollowing information may be stored within the identificationtransponder 64: the type of media units (e.g., dimensions and otherphysical properties of the media unit), the type of embedded media unittransponder (e.g., operational frequency, type of antenna, positionrelative to the rest of the media unit), read/write power levels to beused in reading and writing to the transponders, the number of mediaunits, the manufacture of the media units and/or transponders, and aserial number or other unique identifier of the roll, communicationprotocol type, printing parameters (such as optimal darkness level forthermal printing), optimal media sensor parameters (such as emitterbrightness, detector sensitivity, and detection threshold), a count ofremaining or used media units, generic data or customer tables, anencryption scheme, types of compatible or recommended encoding couplers,encoding configuration settings, general printing and encoding formats,and quality or authentication features.

Another example of information that may be stored within theidentification transponder 64 is an optimal retry level. In general, atrade-off exists between cost of wasted media units 24 and time orthrough-put. Not every media unit transponder 26 may successfully encodeduring a first attempt. In many cases, multiple attempts increase thelikelihood of encoding one or all of the media unit transponders 26 thatdid not encode during the first attempt. The eventual successfullyencoding of as many media unit transponders 26 as possible reduces thenumber of wasted media units 24. However, multiple attempts increasetime needed for the encoding process and reduces the overall through-putof the printer-encoder 20. Also, some media unit transponders 26 maynever encode due to damage or malfunction. In such cases, the prolongedretries may result in reduced through-put without a reduction in wastedmedia units 24 24. An optimal retry level is a number of retries orattempts that the printer-encoder should perform on a media unittransponder 26 that is not encoding before rejecting the media unit 24.The optimal retry level may vary depending on several factors such astransponder type, power levels, and transponder manufacturing processvariations.

According to an exemplary embodiment, formatting or printing andencoding setting instructions may be stored or otherwise retrievablefrom the identification transponder 64. The instructions may includeread and write power settings and optimal or acceptable printingtechniques, e.g., direct thermal v. thermal transfer printing. Theinstructions retrievable from the identification transponder 64 may becomplete or provide information to be used with additional informationalready stored within the printer-encoder 20. For example, theidentification transponder 64 may include the complete print formatand/or encoding instructions for the media unit transponders 26. Asanother example, the identification transponder 64 may include all orsome of the instructions for the controller 45 of the printer-encoderthat are necessary to determine the recommended or optimal printsettings for the media units and encoding settings for the media unittransponders 26. As yet another example, a memory element 47 of theprinter-encoder may store printing and encoding settings for varioustypes of media units. The stored settings may be customized, i.e., anoperator may have entered the settings through the input devices of theprinter-encoder, and/or the stored settings may be a factory setting orprovided through firmware/software updates or downloads. The controller45 may be configured to identify the media units 24 from the informationretrieved from the identification transponder 64 and determine or adjustthe printing and encoding settings from the information stored withinthe memory element 47. Therefore, the information that is retrievablefrom the identification transponder 64 may facilitate an automaticsetting feature for the printer-encoder, in which the printer-encoder 24is configured to adjust the print and encoding settings automaticallybased on the media units 24 inserted or loaded into the printer-encoder20 without requiring additional input from an operator. In anotherembodiment, the controller 45 may generate an input request orrecommendation, i.e., a message to the operator, based on theinformation retrieved from the identification transponder 64 for anoperator input. For example, based on the retrieved information, thecontroller may generate a message on an output display of theprinter-encoder asking the operator to select one or more print andencoding settings.

The nature and amount of information stored or otherwise retrievablefrom the identification transponder 64 may vary depending on the memorycapability of the identification transponder 64. The identificationtransponder 64 may be an active or a passive transponder. For example,the identification transponder 64 may be a 256 bit passive tag or even apassive tag with an expanded memory capability, including, but notlimited to, 1 gigabit. In general, the identification transponder 64 mayfunction as part of a file system of the printer-encoder 20. The size ofthe file that the identification transponder 64 contributes to the filesystem may vary depending on the memory capability of the identificationtransponder 64.

In addition to the information retrievable from the identificationtransponder 64 and/or stored within the printer-encoder 20, additionalinformation may be retrievable by a second identification transponderassociated with the printer ribbon supply roll. More specifically, aswith the media roll 60, the printer ribbon supply roll 41 may also haveat least one identification transponder that contains data orinformation pertaining to the printer ribbon supply roll 60. Theinformation contained by the identification transponder of the printerribbon supply roll may be retrievable by a coupler and a transceiver ofthe printer-encoder. The controller 45 may be configured to process theinformation retrieved from the identification transponder 64 of themedia roll and the identification transponder of the print supply rollto determine an optimal or proper print setting.

The information retrievable from the identification transponder 64 mayalso help to reduce or prevent an improper combination of a particularmedia type with a print and/or encode application or accidental usage ofRFID enabled media units (i.e., media units with embedded transponders)in non-RFID applications. For example, pharmaceutical labeling or“Underwriters Laboratory” labeling may require a specific printer ribbonand label face-stock combination. The controller may be configured toconfirm the proper media type, i.e., face-stock, before allowing themedia units to be used in such applications. As another example, thecontroller may be configured to generate an error message when RFIDenabled media units are identified but the formatting instructions donot provide for an encoding operation. In such a case, the formattinginstructions may have to be updated or RFID enabled media units may havebeen accidentally loaded for a non-RFID application. In general, if thecontroller detects an improper media type for a particular format, thecontroller may generate an error message that may be overridden by anoperator to allow the printing and encoding operations to continue. Inparticular applications, such as the printing or encoding of potentiallycontrolled or sensitive labels, the controller may be configured to lockout the printer-encoder until it receives an override password or otheroverride control that is only available to particular operators ormanagers. The retrievable information may be used to further assist inset-up operations, or to prevent operators from making unauthorizedprinter adjustments. Examples of such parameters include but are notlimited to: RFID number of retries (expensive tags may have highretries, inexpensive ones low number of retries); language setting; andprint speed.

The information retrievable from the identification transponder 64 maybe specifically formatted for the formatting setting of theprinter-encoder 20. More specifically, a stored format setting, i.e.,printing and encoding settings, of the printer-encoder may be in a formof a particular markup language, such as XML, that includes one or morefields to be either printed onto the media label in a specific locationand manner and/or encoded into the media unit transponder. Theidentification transponder may contain information according to one ormore fields that correspond to the fields of the printer-encoder tofacilitate a data merge, also referred to as a mail merge. For example,the format setting of the printer-encoder may be configured to programan EPC (electronic product code) into a particular field, e.g., fieldnumber three on the media unit transponder. The identificationtransponder may be encoded with the EPC in its field number three suchthat the controller downloads the value of field number three from theidentification transponder directly to the media unit transponder.

The identification transponder 64 may be embedded or otherwise attachedto the core in various locations. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, thecore 62 may include a groove 66 extending around an end 68 of the core.The groove 66 may be configured to receive a ring-shaped identificationtransponder 64. As other examples, the identification transponder 64 mayextend along the inner surface 71, the outer surface 72 (such as in theembodiment depicted in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b), or embedded into the wall 70of the core.

In order to retrieve the information from the identification transponder64, the printer-encoder 20 may include at least a second coupler,referred to herein as the identification coupler 110. The identificationcoupler 110 is configured to establish, at predetermined transceiverpower levels, a mutual coupling between a transceiver of theprinter-encoder 20 and the identification transponder 64. Thetransceiver may be the first transceiver 42 that is in communicationwith the encoding coupler 50 or a separate, second transceiver of theprinter-encoder. The identification coupler 110 and the identificationtransponder 64 may be operable in the same frequency band as theencoding coupler 50 and the media unit transponders 26 or in a differentfrequency band. For example, the identification coupler 110,identification transponder 64, the encoding coupler 50, and the mediaunit transponders 26 may each be configured to operate within UHF. Or asanother example, the identification coupler 110 and the identificationtransponder 64 may be configured for HF while the encoding coupler 50and the media unit transponders 26 may be configured for UHF. In stillother embodiments, the identification coupler 110 and the identificationtransponders 64 may be configured to operate in a first sub frequencyband within UHF or HF and the encoding coupler 50 and the media unittransponders 64 may be configured to operate in a second sub frequencyband within UHF or HF.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the printer-encoder includes a UHFidentification coupler in communication with the first transceiver. Inparticular, in this embodiment, the printer-encoder 20 has a firsttransceiver 42 in communication with a UHF spatially selective encodingcoupler 50 and with a UHF identification coupler 210. To minimizeinadvertent communication or other interference with the media unittransponders 26 on the roll 60, the UHF identification coupler 210 andthe identification transponder 64 may be orthogonally oriented with themedia unit transponders 26 as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. The encodingcoupler 50 may be based on a microstrip band pass filter. The encodingcoupler 50 may be positioned close to the printhead 28 and have a“landscape” orientation (i.e., the encoding extends perpendicular to thelabel feed direction) for optimal coupling with a targeted media unittransponder 26. The encoding coupler 50 may also be perpendicular to theUHF identification coupler 210 which minimizes the likelihood of theencoding coupler 50 inadvertently or otherwise interfering withidentification transponder 64.

The UHF identification coupler 210 may comprise a flexible microstriptransmission line. According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7and 8, the UHF identification coupler 210 includes a cylindrical shapedconductive strip 212 extending between a first end 214 and a second end216. The first end 214 and second end 216 define an opening 218 betweenthe two ends 214, 216. The depicted printer-encoder 20 further includesa support member configured to help hold the UHF identificationtransponder in sufficient proximity to the identification coupler. Forexample, the support member may be a cylindrical support member 220having an outer surface 222 and an inner surface 224. The outer surface222 of the cylindrical support member is configured to engage the innersurface 71 of the core and the inner surface 224 of the cylindricalsupport member is configured to support the UHF identification coupler210. A portion of the inner surface 224 of the cylindrical supportmember 220 that corresponds to the opening 218 defined between the twoends 214, 216 of the conductive strip may engage the spindle 100 forsupporting the cylindrical support member 220 and the UHF identificationcoupler 210 relative to the spindle 100. The cylindrical support member220 may be constructed from a synthetic polymer, such aspolytetrafluoroethylene (e.g., Telfon®) or other low permittivitymaterials.

Although the preceding embodiment includes the first transceiver incommunication with both the encoding coupler and the identificationcoupler, in other embodiments the printer-encoder may include a secondtransceiver. In such an embodiment, the first transceiver communicateswith the encoding coupler and the second transceiver communicates withthe identification coupler. For example, according to an exemplaryembodiment the identification coupler communicates with the secondtransceiver of the printer-encoder and the identification coupler mayoperate within the HF band and, thus, may be referred to as a HFidentification coupler.

As a further example and as illustrated in FIGS. 9 a through 13, a HFidentification coupler 310 may be based on a resonant magnetic planarantenna configured to establish, at predetermined transceiver powerlevels, an edge magnetic coupling with the identification transponder64. The HF identification coupler 310 may include one or more coilsresponsive to RF signals supplied by the second transceiver convertingRF signals to an appropriate magnetic field. The coils may take the formof a planar elongated coils created, for example, by one or moreconductors coupled with a coil support structure. The conductors andcoil support structure may comprise, for example, one or more coiltraces 312 on, within, or between one or more layers of a printedcircuit board or boards (PCBs) 314. For example, the coupler may includetwo PCBs, each having a ground layer, a dielectric layer, and at leastone coil trace. The two PCBs may be in parallel and adjacent one anotherwith the coil traces facing each other. Each coil trace 312 may beformed without sharp corners to minimize creation of impedancediscontinuities. The number of turns used in the coils is determined inpart by the intended range from and longitudinal dimensions of theidentification transponder 64 which is magnetically coupled to thecoils. The HF identification coupler 310 may include one or moreimpedance matching and tuning components. For example, the HFidentification coupler may include one or more capacitors 316, forexample 4, for 50 ohms impedance match. And the HF identificationcoupler 310 may be tuned at 13.56 MHz. The HF identification coupler 310may also include Faraday shielding rings 318 above the coil traces 312for electrical field insulation.

The HF identification coupler 310 may be configured to engage thespindle 100. For example and as illustrated, the HF identificationcoupler 310 may define an opening 320 for accepting at least a portionof the spindle 100. With the HF identification coupler 310 positionedaround at least a portion of the spindle 100 via the opening 320, thespindle 100 at least partially supports the HF identification coupler310.

The spindle 100 may include a radome or coupler housing member 112 and asupport member 114. In general, the support member 114 extends from thefirst end 102 to the second end 104 of the spindle 100 and defines acontact area 116, such as a top surface area, between the core 62 andthe spindle 100. The support member 114 may be one integrated element orinclude one or more elements interconnected to form the support member114. The coupler housing member 112 may be configured to help reduceenvironmental influences on the coupler 310 and to help provide a smoothsurface for the loading of the media roll. As illustrated, the couplerhousing member 112 may be generally cylindrical and configured tosurround the coupler 310 near the first end 102 (i.e., the end attachedto the wall 52 of the printer-encoder) of the spindle. A top area 118 ofthe coupler housing member 112 may be configured to mimic the contactarea 116 of the support member such that the top area 118 effectivelybecomes an extension of the contact area 116 defined by the supportmember. The coupler housing member 112 may include a sloped orcone-shaped loading edge 120 extending toward the second end 104 of thespindle to help with the loading of the media roll. The inner surface ofthe cone-shaped loading edge 120 may also provide a mounting surface forthe coupler 310 within the coupler housing member 112.

As explained above, the construction of the media roll 60 may vary. Forexample, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b, the mediaroll 60 may include a core 62, an identification label 74, and a RFfield insulator 80. The core 62 provides the general support to therolled media units 24 and includes an inner surface 71 engageable withthe spindle 100 and an outer surface 72. The identification label 74includes a substrate 76, such as a sticker label, and a HFidentification transponder 64, which may be embedded within or otherwiseattached to the substrate 76. In this example, the sticker label may beused to attach the HF identification transponder 64 to the outer surface70 of the core. The RF field insulator 80 is configured to make the HFidentification transponder 64 less susceptible to interference from themedia unit transponders wound above it also referred to as a windingeffect. For example, the RF field insulator 80 may be a ferrite patch, ametal foil, or both extending over the HF identification transponder 64.The RF field insulator 80 may cover a limited area of the outer surface70 that corresponds to the HF identification transponder 64 or theentire outer surface 70 of the core.

The HF identification coupler 310 may be configured to couple with thetransponder 64 through a core positioning range. In particular, asillustrated in FIGS. 14 a through 14 c, an identification transponderplacement on the core 62 is defined by a distance to the coupler's planeto a maximize core positioning range. As illustrated in FIG. 14 a, whena core offset is approximately 0 mm, the transponder locationcorresponds to a beginning of the core positioning range and thebeginning of a range of coupling, above a minimum level, between thecoupler 310 and the identification transponder 64. As illustrated inFIG. 14 b, in the middle of the core position range atransponder-coupler alignment relates to a maximum coupling between thecoupler 310 and the transponder 64. As illustrated in FIG. 14 c, atransponder-coupler alignment at a maximum core positioning rangerelates to the end of the range of transponder-coupler coupling above aminimum coupling value. The transponder-coupler alignment may vary dueto variations in dimensions between different media rolls and/or due tovariations between the loadings of the different media rolls, i.e., amedia roll may be loaded onto the spindle rolls at different distancesfrom the first end of the spindle.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, to achieve a maximum core offset positioningrange the HF identification coupler may be tuned at 13.56±0.25 MHz andits impedance may be matched to 50 ohms. Optimum couple tuning and itsimpedance matching may be performed when an empty core, i.e., no mediaunit transponders are wound around the core, with the identificationtransponder 64 positioned on the spindle at approximately 0 mm distancefrom a reference point, as illustrated in FIG. 14 a. In this embodiment,the coupler may provide a sufficient coupling with the identificationtransponder (at least 3 dB RF power margin) at any angular positionwithin a specified (e.g., 9 mm) core offset positioning range andtransponder placement tolerance (±1.5 mm) while maintaining impedancemismatch and return loss not exceeding −10 dB at 13.56 MHz for the S11parameter in the worse case as illustrated in FIG. 16 (shown as −14.458dB).

In some embodiments, the coupler bandwidth (defined by VSWR=2) may be300 KHz to 1 MHz. For example, in FIG. 17, the bandwidth is shown as 423kHz. To facilitate a robust communication link in a coupler totransponder system, the RF power delivered to the transponder shouldexceed the minimum energizing level by a margin of at least 3 dB. Theminimum RF power level for this embodiment may depend on angular andcore offset positions. One technique, which may be used to determinepower level margin above the minimum energizing level, is based on theuse of an external RF power attenuator. The device is inserted betweenthe identification coupler and a HF transceiver. The value of theinserted RF power attenuation is varied to determine the successfuloperating range in relative power (dB). The device may connect a HFreader and a coupler. A suppression of maximum available RF power fromthe transceiver allows for an estimation in relative power in dB atwhich the identification starts and stops working, i.e., communicating.

As discussed above, the identification transponder may store orotherwise provide data or information regarding intended or optimalprint and encode format settings. In addition to or rather thanretrieving such information from the identification transponder, theprinter-encoder may be configured to recognize print and encode formatsettings or other user preferences through a transponder attached to orotherwise carried with a particular user. For example, the transpondermay be embedded in the clothing, jewelry, or another item carried orworn by the user or somewhere in the user's body. According to thisembodiment, the printer-encoder may include an antennae configured torecognize the transponder that is closest to the printer-encoder and atransponder reader of the printer-encoder may identify and notify theprinter-encoder through the transponder in the person's clothing or bodyto tailor the printer settings to the preferences associated with thetransponder.

Embodiments described above include a printer-encoder having at leastone transceiver and one or more couplers for establishing a mutualcoupling between the at least one transceiver and one or moretransponders associated with consumables of the printer-encoder, such asa first identification transponder associated with the media roll, asecond identification transponder associated with the printer ribbonsupply roll, and the media unit transponders. As disclosed above, atransceiver of the printer-encoder may be in communication with one ormore of the couplers or a transceiver may be in communication with acoupler. For example, the printer-encoder may equal number oftransceivers to couplers.

In order to minimize inadvertent communication or other interferencebetween the different couplers and transponders, the couplers andtransponders may be positioned to have offsetting or differentorientation to one another as discussed above. Moreover, in addition toor instead of the offsets or different orientation, the printer-encodermay have anti-collision software operable through a controller elementand/or RF shielding components configured to reduce interference betweenthe different couplers and transponder. Also, as discussed above, one ormore of the transceivers, couplers, and transponders may be configuredto operate within different frequency bands or sub-bands. And as anotherexample, one or more of the transceivers, couplers, and transponders maybe configured to operate within different protocols, such as ISO 15693,ISO 14443, or other RF protocols.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which thisinvention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the invention are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

1. A media roll comprising: a core; a plurality of media units woundabout the core; wherein one or more of the plurality of media unitsinclude one or more media unit transponders; an identificationtransponder attached to the core and having retrievable informationpertaining to the plurality of media units; and a RF field insulatorpositioned at least partially between the identification transponder andthe plurality of media units such that the identification transponder isless susceptible to the one or more media unit transponders.
 2. Themedia roll according to claim 1, wherein the identification transponderbeing at least partially embedded into the core.
 3. The media rollaccording to claim 1, wherein the core extends from a first end to asecond end and includes an outer surface and an inner surface and theidentification transponder is attached to the outer surface.
 4. Themedia roll according to claim 3, wherein the RF field insulator being aferrite patch that covers at least the identification transponderopposite the outer surface of the core.
 5. The media roll according toclaim 4, wherein the ferrite patch substantially covers the outersurface of the core.
 6. The media roll according to claim 4 furthercomprising a metal foil extending around the core and the ferrite patch.7. The media roll according to claim 1, wherein the one or more mediaunit transponders are configured to operate within a first frequencyband and the identification transponder is configured to operate withina second frequency band that is different from the first frequency band.8. The media roll according to claim 1, wherein the one or more mediaunit transponders are configured to operate with a first communicationprotocol and the identification transponder is configured to operatewith a second communication protocol that is different from the firstcommunication protocol.
 9. The media roll according to claim 1, whereinthe retrievable information includes a count of the plurality of mediaunits left on the media roll.
 10. The media roll according to claim 1,wherein the retrievable information includes a count of the plurality ofmedia units that failed to process properly through an RFID system. 11.A system for processing a plurality of media units comprising: a firstspindle for supporting a roll of media units, wherein the roll includesan identification transponder; a second spindle for support a printerribbon supply, wherein the printer ribbon supply includes anidentification transponder; a first coupler adapted to couple with theidentification transponder of the identification transponder; a secondcoupler adapted to couple with the identification transponder of theprinter ribbon supply; at least a first transceiver in communicationwith at least one of the first coupler and the second coupler; acontroller for processing data from the identification transponder ofthe printer ribbon supply and the identification transponder of themedia roll and adjusting a print setting based on the data; and aprinthead for printing indicia onto the plurality of media units. 12.The system according to claim 11 further comprising a third coupleradapted to couple with a plurality of media unit transponders associatedwith the plurality of media units.
 13. The system according to claim 12,wherein the third coupler being orthogonally oriented with the firstcoupler.
 14. The system according to claim 11, wherein the controllerverifies the identity of the roll of media units and the printer ribbonsupply from processing data from the identification transponder of theprinter ribbon supply and the identification transponder of the mediaroll.